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Visit Andorra and the Pyrenees from the colourful port of Sète.
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Adventure into the Alps in less than an hour from glamorous Cannes.
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Hit the slopes of the Sierra Nevada from warm and inviting Málaga.
Breakfast on board your superyacht while watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean. Drive into the mountains for an adrenalin-fuelled day of skiing. Head back to port and dine on local delicacies before hitting the best bars. There can be few more satisfying ways to spend a weekend in winter.
For owners, captains, guests and crew on the world’s largest yachts, berthing in a luxury marina on the Med with easy access to friendly and fun-packed ski resorts is a highlight of the winter season.
If you’re looking for a sun, sea and ski adventure, head to the South of France and berth at IGY Sète Marina in the heart of a pretty, bustling port close to the Pyrenees and Cévennes mountains, or cruise to the French Riviera and reserve a berth at prestigious IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes at the foot of the southern Alps. For milder weather, navigate along the southern Spanish coast to IGY’s marina in cosmopolitan Málaga in Andalucia, southern Spain, near the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The luxury IGY marinas in Sète, Vieux-Port de Cannes and Málaga are perfect for winter fun in the sun. Each destination provides five-star service and modern, safe facilities in beautiful locations, with easy access to fantastic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and hiking within just a few hours’ drive.
After a day on the slopes, there’s plenty to do in port too – all three marinas are perfectly located in the heart of the city, a short walk from interesting history, culture and entertainment.
IGY Sète Marina: Ski in the Pyrenees and Cévennes
Still largely undiscovered, the colourful port of Sète, near Montpellier, stands out as a strategic winter berthing destination for those wishing to combine Mediterranean yachting with winter sport escapes in the nearby Pyrenees and Cévennes mountains.
From this elegant, authentic port in the south of France, you can access some of Europe’s most prestigious ski domains within just a few hours, offering a rare opportunity to experience winter at the crossroads of sea and mountains, while enjoying southern French lifestyle.
The top four ski escapes closest to IGY Sète Marina are:
Font-Romeu – Pyrenees
- 225km from Sète, 3h by car
- Altitude 1,700–2,200m, 54km of ski runs
- Sun-soaked slopes, panoramic skiing and a chic, relaxed atmosphere
- Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tobogganing
- Stay at the Grand Hôtel L’Ermitage
- Dine at La Chaumière
Saint-Lary-Soulan – Pyrenees
- 300km from Sète, 4h by car
- Altitude 1,650–2,500m, 100km of ski runs
- Elegant resort with extensive skiing plus wellness and thermal spas
- Skiing, snowshoeing and hiking
- Stay at Hôtel Mercure Sensoria
- Dine at L’Auberge du Lienz
Soldeu / El Tarter – Pyrenees (Andorra)
- 290km from Sète, 3h45 by car
- Altitude 1,700–2,800m, 210km of ski runs
- Located in Grand Valira, the largest Pyrenean ski resort, with extensive skiing and snowboarding
- International luxury, shopping and fine dining
- Stay at Sport Hotel Hermitage and Spa
- Dine at the Michelin-starred Ibaya
Mont Aigoual – Cévennes
- 140km from Sète, 2h30 by car
- Altitude 1,260–1,470m, 9km of ski runs
- Ideal for short escapes
- Wild, protected region with an authentic, intimate atmosphere
- Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding
- Stay at Château de la Caze
- Dine at Le Jardin aux Sources
IGY Sète Marina and in-water shipyard caters for vessels up to 180m and generally attracts seasoned skiers who already know the best resorts. However, for those new to the region, or who want inside knowledge, the IGY team is on hand to provide support and advice on where to go, from booking accommodation and restaurants to providing transport and organising customised trips.
Jérôme Cuaz, IGY Sète Marina General Manager, says: “We are locals ourselves and we know the area inside out. There is nothing better than good local intelligence to help guests make the most of their visit.”
The marina provides a safe, secure environment just a short walk into the centre of this bustling port. Several yachts stay all winter, while others come for a few months at a time. Berthing here in winter doesn’t just provide an opportunity to hit the slopes, safe in the knowledge your yacht will be looked after, it’s a place to live like a local, whether you want to visit the Sunday food market, sample oysters and white wine on the quayside, or explore the region.
Jérôme adds: “Sète is a great place to have fun. It’s within a day’s drive of world-class skiing in the Pyrenees and if you want to party, Montpellier is close by.”
Cannes – Ski in the Alps
The world-famous port of Cannes lies just 45km from the nearest ski resort in the southern Alps and just two hours from Isola 2000, the most well-known and ‘snow reliable’ resort in the region, so you can be leaving tracks in pristine snow less than an hour from leaving the old port. You may even catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean as you glide down the slopes!
The main ski resorts near IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes are:
Gréolières-les-Neiges
- The closest ski resort to Cannes, just 45km from the city, 1h15 by car
- Altitude 1,400m–1,800m
- Family-friendly, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and hiking
- Stay at Hotel Auberge du Baou or Hotel Le Foehn
- Dine at Le Chalet du Loup or Le Relais de l’Ecureuil
L’Audibergue – La Moulière
- 50 km from Cannes, 1h15 by car
- Altitude 1,400m
- Small, friendly resort, ideal for families and beginners
- Downhill skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and hiking trails
- Stay at Hotel Le Relais de l’Artuby or Auberge de la Moulière
- Dine at Le Christiana or La Taverne
Valberg
- 90 km from Cannes, 1h45 by car
- Altitude 1,700m
- Larger resort, varied ski area, activities for all levels
- Snowpark, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice rink and indoor swimming pool
- Stay at Hotel Le Chastellan, Adonis Valberg or Hotel Le Blanche Neige
- Dine at La Table d’Elis, L’Ecueulle or L’Escapade
Isola 2000
- 110 km from Cannes, 2h by car
- Altitude 1,800–2,610m
- Major resort in the Southern Alps, many facilities, reliable snow
- Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice rink, swimming pool
- Stay at Hotel Le Druos, Hotel Pas du Loup or Résidence Les Terra
- Dine at Annapurna, Le Lodge or La Marmotte
Auron
- 110 km from Cannes, 2h by car
- Altitude 1,600–2,450m
- Well-known resort, large ski area, village atmosphere
- Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice rink and swimming pool
- Stay at Hotel Las Donnas, Hotel Edelweiss or Hotel Le Blainon
- Dine at Le P’tit Flocon, L’Alisier or Le Slalom
IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes, catering for superyachts up to 140m, is ideally placed to access a wide range of winter sports. Aficionados take an early breakfast on the port before heading up to the mountains. The team at IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes can organise transport to your favourite resort and help with accommodation and restaurant recommendations.
Back in Cannes, the city renowned for its star-studded festivals has an altogether different vibe in winter, with a slower pace, but there’s still plenty going on, and the marina is just a short walk away from the Palais des Festivals, famed for its theatre, art and cultural events.
The Vieux-Port is undergoing an ambitious modernization and transformation development, upgrading its capacity to accommodate superyachts up to 75m at the North JAE. The Laubeuf area is also being redesigned, featuring a scenic garden, new parking facilities, and a brand new shipyard, as well as new premium cruise and coastal ferries terminals.
Emmanuel Messiaen, Port Director at IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes, explains: “Cannes is a unique and iconic port with a vibrant, busy and intense season. The winter months offer the perfect opportunity for superyachts crews and captains to enjoy the town, its cultural heritage and the amazing ski resorts just a short drive away.”
Málaga – Ski in the Sierra Nevada
The warmest of our three sun, sea and ski destinations, Málaga is a two-hour drive from the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. Rising to 3,500m above sea level, the Sierra Nevada is where the Madrileño (people from Madrid) come to ski and conditions this winter have been perfect, with lots of snow. Many visitors combine skiing with a visit to Granada, famed for its stunning Alhambra Palace.
The best ski resort close to IGY Málaga Marina is:
Sierra Nevada
- 161km from Málaga, 2h30 by car
- Altitude 1,200m, 105km of ski runs
- One of the largest and most attractive ski areas in southern Europe
- Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and ice rink
- Over 134 slopes, the highest reaching 1,200m
- Stay at Hotel El Lodge
- Dine at Vivac
IGY Málaga Marina is in high demand as a winter berthing destination. The marina typically caters for vessels of 80–180m, often with 30–40 crew living permanently on board for up to several months at a time. While guests often have their own transport, the IGY team can organise transport to ski resorts if required, and luxury coach trips are planned later this season.
Both crew and guests are always looking for something entertaining to do at the weekends, and Málaga doesn’t disappoint. The city is renowned for its history, culture and fine dining, and the fact that great skiing is on the doorstep is an added bonus. The team at IGY Málaga Marina also organise activities from wine tasting to yoga and cultural events.
Sasha Romashova, Commercial Director of IGY Málaga Marina says Málaga is the perfect winter superyacht stopover: “You can’t find a better climate in Europe in a location with so much to offer, from history and culture to gastronomy and Michelin-starred restaurants. Málaga is becoming more and more popular and access to the Sierra Nevada ski resort adds to the appeal.”
The city is a 20-minute drive from the airport, making it convenient for captains and operators. The marina is ISPS compliant, with a two-metre high perimeter fence, electronic card entry and CCTV, making it highly secure. Sasha adds that many captains return year after year and stay for several months before heading to the Caribbean or to embark on a Mediterranean cruise.
If you’re heading to the Mediterranean this season and you want to experience some of the best skiing in Europe while being pampered, IGY has it covered. The only thing you need to do is select your preferred destination and let the IGY team of local experts guide you to your next thrilling adventure.
For more information, visit IGY Sète Marina, IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes and IGY Málaga Marina.
